Bobby Smith

Retired Army SFC Bobby Kenneth Smith, 80, of Winston-Salem, passed away on March 1, 2014 at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice House after a short battle with cancer. He was born on February 13, 1934 in Stanly County, North Carolina to the late Claude Smith and Viola Williams Smith. Bobby married Peggy Crayton on July 23, 1955. He served his country as a medic in the U.S. Army, retiring in 1977 with 20 years of military service. Bobby was awarded numerous awards and decorations during his long military career, the most notable being two Bronze Stars earned during the Vietnam War. At the time of his death, he was attending New Life Baptist Church in Advance, and before moving to Winston-Salem was very active in the church and community in Chimney Rock. Bobby was a loving husband, father and grandfather and leaves behind many family and friends who were touched by his humor and thoughtfulness. Survivors include his wife, Peggy Crayton Smith, of Winston-Salem; daughter, Tari McDonald (Michael McDonald, deceased), of Clemmons; son, Todd Smith (Belinda), of Wesley Chapel; grandsons, Shawn McDonald of Winston-Salem and Zakary Smith of Chapel Hill; brothers, Melton Smith (Mildred) and Jim Smith (Esther) and sister, Mildred Shaver, of Oakboro; and godson, Reverend Rhett Thompson, of Panama. The family would like to give a special thanks to the caregivers at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice House. A military graveside service and burial will be held at 4:00 pm, Saturday, March 8, 2014, in Mission Baptist Church Cemetery in Locust. The family will receive friends beforehand in the Mission Baptist Church Fellowship Hall from 3:00 to 4:00 pm. A memorial service to honor Bobby’s life will be held in Chimney Rock at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice House or the Chimney Rock Fire Department. Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Smith family. Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com